Exeter & Heart of Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association raise £800 for charity in one evening at their annual dinner!

Members of the Exeter & Heart of Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association raised a whopping £800 for Hospitality Action at this year’s annual dinner held at Mercure Southgate Hotel on Monday 4th March. Hotel Director of The Pig at Combe, Fiona Moores, is also raising funds for Hospitality Action by taking part in a spectacular cycle race later this year.

The celebratory evening kicked off with Atlantic Gin and Isca Beer brewed by Alex Phillips from Western Event Hire, followed by a luxury 4-course feast including lovely tipples from Torquay-based and family run drinks supplier, Tolchards.

Following dinner was a raffle featuring some fantastic prizes kindly donated by a selection of Devon Hotels and Restaurants members including: a one night stay with dinner and breakfast at Highbullen, Champagne Cream Tea for two at Hotel Du Vin, 2x VIP tickets to the Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink, and many more luxury prizes. The night ended with fantastic entertainment from professional performer, Merlin Cadogan, who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

Craig Findleton, General Manager at Mercure Southgate Hotel was delighted to play host on the evening, saying: “It was such a pleasure to host the Association members at the Mercure for a celebratory extravaganza. The event gives everyone the chance to have a night off and enjoy an evening of delicious food and drink, as well as catching up with old faces and new.”

Derek Phillips, Honorary Secretary for the Association added: “We are so pleased with the amount raised on the evening for this incredible, deserving charity and very grateful to our members for donating such fantastic prizes. We look forward to another successful year for the Association as we continue to promote both Devon as a region and the individual members as destinations in their own right. We’re proud to say that this collection of Devon’s finest comes with the Devon Hotels & Restaurants stamp of approval”.

Juliet Phillips-Barry and Mark Barry

Hospitality Action was established in 1837 and offers vital assistance to all who work or have worked within the hospitality industry in the UK. They support people who have suffered life altering illness or who might be experiencing poverty, bereavement and domestic violence.

Exeter & the Heart of Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association is a handpicked collection of award-winning, unique and inspiring hotels and restaurants set within one of the most breathtaking counties in England. The Association, dating back to the 1930’s, specialises in promoting the most fabulous properties in Devon to their ever-growing audience of lookers and bookers. The mission is to inspire people from all over to explore and experience the best Devon has to offer.